Mountain bikers running 27.5 inch wheels on a quick release frame who need a solid, serviceable rear wheel.
The Shimano WH-MT500 is Shimano's everyday trail wheel, and this is the 27.5 inch rear with a quick release hub and a Center Lock disc mount. It's a straightforward, reliable replacement for a worn or damaged rear wheel on a hardtail or entry trail bike.
Shimano built it wider and lighter than the older WH-MT15, with a 24 mm internal rim that holds modern trail tyres with more stability and grip. It's laced with 24 double butted stainless spokes, and Shimano says a pair saves more than 100 g over the WH-MT15.
The hub runs on cup and cone bearings behind labyrinth seals, which suits riders who like parts they can adjust and service rather than throw away. The HG freehub takes 8, 9 and 10-speed cassettes as well as Shimano's MTB 11-speed cassettes.
24 mm internal rim
Wider profile for better tyre support and traction.
Center Lock rotor mount
Fast, secure rotor fitting with a single lockring.
HG freehub
Takes 8 to 10-speed and MTB 11-speed Shimano HG cassettes.
Serviceable hub
Cup and cone bearings with labyrinth seals.
Rim
Hub
Spokes
24C wide-profile rim
A 24 mm internal rim width supports trail tyres better than older narrow rims, adding tyre stability and traction.
Center Lock
Shimano's splined disc rotor mount, where the rotor slides on and is held by a single lockring.
Labyrinth seal hub
Cup and cone bearings behind a labyrinth seal, simple to service and adjust.
Great for
Maybe not for
27.5 inch / 650B rear. Check your frame's rear spacing before buying: this wheel is 135 mm quick release. It needs a Center Lock rotor, or a Center Lock to 6-bolt adapter if you want to keep a 6-bolt rotor. Cassette, rotor, tyre and tube are separate.
Moving parts across
When swapping from your old wheel, move the cassette, rotor and tyre over and check the rotor lockring is done up firmly with the proper tool. If your old wheel used 6-bolt rotors, you'll need an adapter or a Center Lock rotor. We're happy to do the swap and true check in the workshop.
Keep the cones sweet
Cup and cone hubs reward a little attention. If you feel play at the rim or the hub starts to feel rough, get the cones adjusted and regreased early and the hub will last for years.
The component maker behind most of the world's bikes.
Shimano was founded in Sakai, Japan in 1921 and has grown into the world's largest maker of bicycle components.
Its drivetrains, brakes and wheels are fitted to everything from kids' bikes to World Tour race machines, which makes spares and service parts easy to find.
